Ready, set, goal!

Are you ready to take your riding to the next level? Setting goals can help you become a better rider and turn your dreams into reality. So, let’s explore how easy it is to make progress.

Top tip

It’s likely your challenges and goals will be different from your friends’ because your partnership with your pony is unique, but it’s worth chatting through your ideas for extra inspiration

Be SMART

With so many things to master when it comes to riding, it’s no wonder you might find it hard to decide what to tackle first. Thinking about things you find tricky when riding is a good place to start and a useful method that can help you discover what your goals are. Making your goals SMART will help you achieve them, but what does that exactly mean? 

S is for specific

Be clear on what you want to achieve. Instead of ‘I want to be better at jumping’, try ‘I want to feel confident jumping a 50cm course’.

M is for measurable

How will you measure your progress? Can you use checklists, a timer or your instructor to help you? 

A is for achievable

Can you accomplish it? Be realistic and set a goal that you can work towards. Maybe one day you hope to compete at the Horse of the Year Show, but that might be out of your reach for now. Instead, try setting a goal of going to a local show and coming home confidently, and maybe even with a rosette in hand!

R is for relevant

Make sure your goal is worth putting in the time and effort for. Will it improve your riding? Does it bring you joy? And can you have plenty of fun along the way? 

T is for time bound

Give yourself a realistic time frame to accomplish your chosen goal. A little bit of pressure can be a good thing, but too much might make you want to give up entirely. 

When creating your SMART goal, try to use positive language based on what you want to do, not what you don’t want to do. Instead of saying ‘I don’t want to feel scared cantering on a hack’, you could say ‘I want to feel super-confident and enjoy cantering through the countryside’. 

Back to reality

Whatever goals you’ve set, whether big or small, we’ve got four top tips to help you achieve them…

1. Break it down into smaller tasks. You get to the top of the ladder one step at a time. If your goal is related to jumping, for example, try improving your light seat first.
2.  Keep a record of your journey and completed tasks to boost your confidence and give you a visual cue to see the progress you’ve made.
3. Be consistent and always try your hardest – it’s the best way to get results!
4. Celebrate your milestones no matter how small. You could do something special to mark the occasion! 

Top tip

You can buy a special horsey planner that helps you track your progress – there are loads of different types, from competition journals to lesson diaries, go check them out!

Plan to perfection

Planning is super helpful and will go a long way towards helping you achieve your goals. Before you tackle your goal, work out the steps needed to get there, decide on areas that require extra attention and identify potential problems. Using a diary or wall planner to write in all your pony’s appointments, lessons, shows and any other significant dates will help you stay on track. 

Practise here, there and everywhere!

Think creatively and take every opportunity that comes your way! Want to ace your next dressage test? Try practising transitions, circles and lateral movements while out hacking, not just in the arena. Are you keen to move on to horses? Whenever someone offers for you to ride their horse, take them up on it! 

Horsey homework

If you love ponies, you’ll likely want to be at the yard all the time but unfortunately that’s not always possible! Don’t worry, though, there are plenty of things you can do at home that will help you reach for the stars and achieve your goals. 

You can learn so much from snuggling up on the sofa and getting stuck into a copy of PONY mag or a horsey book, such as The Pony Club manual, or watching an educational video on YouTube! 

Remember to think about your strength and fitness a bit, too! Exercises, such as yoga, can help you build core strength and keep your body supple, which is super-important for your balance and will help you have an independent seat. 

Enjoy the journey

Lots of things can affect your journey, from how you and your pony feel to the weather on the day, so try not to take these as negatives. Something might happen that means your goals need adjusting along the way, and that’s OK, just try to be positive and adaptable. Surround yourself with friends and family who share your passion, too, as they’ll help you to stay motivated and pursue your dreams.